Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

ABSTRACT

A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed in a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/998,590, filed Nov. 16, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/633,351 filed Aug. 4, 2000, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/472,385 filed Dec. 23,1999, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/109,945filed Jul. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,768, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/615,143 filed Mar.14, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,181, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 08/613,144 filed Mar. 8, 1996, abandoned,and is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/622,474 filed Mar. 25,1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,664, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Today, the capabilities of computers to provide massive amountsof educational and entertainment information has exploded with theInternet. The Internet has the power to transform society throughunprecedented levels of information flow between members. Currently,on-line systems offer a variety of different services to users,including news feeds, electronic databases (either searchable by theuser directly on the on-line system, or downloadable to the user's owncomputer), private message services, electronic newsletters, real timegames for play by several users at the same time, and job placementservices, to name a few. However, today, most on-line communicationsoccur merely through text. This currently stands in great contrast tothe audio/visual presentation of the alternative electronic medium,television. However, it is expected that as multi-media's incessantgrowth continues, audio/visual programs will proliferate and text willbecome less and less dominant in the on-line environment. Even thoughthese programs will be introduced, the Internet, will remain essentiallyuser unfriendly due to its very massiveness, organization, andrandomness. Simply stated, there is no order or direction in theInternet. Specific pieces of information are many times hard to find,and harder yet, is the ability to put that piece of information into ameaningful context.

[0003] Television, on the other hand, has been criticized for being apassive medium—“chewing gum for the eyes,” as Fred Allen once observed.Television has always been something you watched, not something you do.Many social critics believe that the passivity television depends on hasseeped into our entire culture, turning a nation of citizens into anation of viewers. While interactive television systems have increasedthe level of user interaction, and thus, provided greater learning andentertainment opportunities, vast information resources such asdatabases are inaccessible from such a medium.

[0004] What is needed is a means to close the gap between videoprogramming and the information superhighway of the Internet. What isneeded is a wider, richer experience integrating audio/visual andtextual database elements into an organized unique interactive,educational, entertainment experience. Currently, the Internet is arepository of information on virtually any subject. However, what isneeded is a mechanism for combining the user-friendly visual experienceof television with the vast information resources of the Internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The system of the present invention combines broadcast televisionprogramming and/or video programming which appears on a VHS or Betatape, CD-ROM, DVD or other medium, or video programming at a videoserver (hereinafter “video programming”) with the massive Internet,creating a new and powerful educational and entertainment medium. Thesystem allows consumers to receive more information in a more efficientmanner than either television or the Internet alone. Consumers not onlycan see a news report on television, but they can also read pertinentinformation about the report, as well as explore related informationabout the story. The program becomes the introduction to a particularsubject, rather than the entire subject itself. The act of viewing aprogram has now become a more engaging, enriching experience.

[0006] The system can also create a more intimate relationship betweenthe viewer and the program. The user might be solving problems orperforming virtual experiments on the Internet site that a teacher isdiscussing in an educational television program. Similarly, the consumermight be solving problems that the fictional characters in a televisionprogram must solve. In both cases, the consumer is an active participantin the process, rather than a passive observer.

[0007] Instead of an undirected and unfocused exploration of Internetsites, by synching specific Internet pages to the video signal, thesystem puts the Internet in context. The television program producersnow can decide what additional information to offer their audience. Thismaterial can now be seen in the context of the television program.

[0008] An additional advantage is that consumers don't have to searchthrough the literally hundreds of millions of pages on the Internet tofind appropriate material. The material has already been filtered by theprogram producers and delivered to the consumer automatically.

[0009] Another advantage of the system is that it changes the nature ofadvertising. Since additional information can be given to consumersautomatically, advertising can now be more substantive, allowingcustomers to make more informed choices. Now, the act of purchasing aproduct seen on television can be streamlined—the consumer can be giventhe choice of buying the product instantly using the two-waycapabilities of the system.

[0010] In addition, users can take advantage of the two-way capabilitiesof the Internet to respond to polls, to send e-mail or to link toadditional sites. For example, a viewer watching a television newsprogram, through the system of the invention, can receive a stream ofWeb pages which provide additional, specific information relating to thenews content—whether background on the Presidential primaries or thelatest change in interest rates.

[0011] The video programming and corresponding Internet pages can beviewed on personal computers equipped with a television card, but theopen software-based approach enables anyone with a television set andJAVA enabled PC to experience the system of the invention.

[0012] By marrying the appeal of video with the two-way data transfercapabilities of the Internet, the system creates a powerful new medium:Video producers and Internet site creators can enhance their content toextend their brand identity and differentiate their program offerings tothe millions of people who are spending more time navigating through theresources of the World Wide Web rather than watching television;advertisers can speak more directly to consumers by directly sending Webpages to the consumer instead of only displaying Web addresses in theircommercials; and consumers can gain a new level of interest andinteractivity over a video-based medium. In addition to providingsignificant and immediate benefits to broadcasters and advertisers, thesystem will also present educational programmers with a way to moreeffectively use Internet resources in the classroom.

[0013] Recently, several media companies have joined to create a systemfor linking the Internet and television on the personal computer, called“Intercast.” In this system, content will be provided simultaneouslywith the TV video signal. This system, however, requires that strippeddown Web pages be sent in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of thevideo signal, using up to three scan lines limiting effective bandwidthto approximately 28.8 kbps. This approach, however, requires specializedhardware to both insert the Web pages into the VBI and extract thesecodes at each PC since it takes up to three scan lines of the VBI. Thus,the complexity and cost of the PC is increased. Because the Web pagesare transmitted with the video signal, the Intercast system is not atrue “two-way” system, but merely a one-way “piggyback” system. Inaddition, the Intercast is an analog video product, and thus, cannothandle digital video data.

[0014] The system of the present invention, on the other hand, is a muchmore flexible, but less complex, system. The present invention supportseither analog or digital television broadcasts without broadcasters orend-users having to alter their existing systems, thus enablingbroadcasters to reach a wide audience within a short time.

[0015] In a first embodiment, the actual Web pages are not forced intothe very limited bandwidth of the vertical blanking interval (VBI).Instead, merely eight fields of line 21 of the VBI are used to deliverthe relevant Internet Web page addresses to the PC. These addresses arecalled “uniform resource locators” (URLs). The system then directs theparticular Web browser to retrieve the identified Web pages from theInternet. Upon receipt of the particular Web page(s), the system syncsthe Web page(s) to the video signal, and at the appropriate times,presents the Web pages on one portion of the computer screen with thetelevision video signal, shown in a window on another portion of thescreen, and thus, provides the synergistic Internet and televisionexperience. One of the advantages of the system of the present inventionis that no specialized chip set need be produced and implemented intothe standard PC. Thus, complexity is kept to a minimum.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the VBIis not used to transmit the URLs to the user. In this alternativeembodiment, member broadcasters enter the Internet through a memberaccount, and will be provided with a graphical user interface forpre-scheduling Internet addresses, or URLs, for transmission to users atparticular times of day. This interface could also be used to transmitreal time live transmissions of URLs to users at the same time as abroadcast. The URLs are stored in a “Link File” for later transmissionover the Internet to the user at the broadcasters entered time, whichcorresponds to the broadcast time of an associated program. The timingof URL's could be determined in advance or can be sent out live. Thisembodiment eliminates the need to place the URLs in the VBI, and alsoallows the broadcaster to store more than one Link File for transmissionto users in different time zones, for example. Further, more than onebroadcaster could access the same master schedule if desired, and add ordelete certain URLs to personalize the program for their localaudiences. Also, personalization can be taken to the single user, orsmall group of users, by having the system send a different stream ofURLs to each user, depending on a unique user profile, for example.Thus, the personalization feature of the present invention allows eachuser to receive information uniquely relevant to their interests,demographics, history, etc. This embodiment makes the transmission ofURLs to the user even less complex than the first embodiment disclosedherein.

[0017] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide orderand direction to the Internet by using television signals to place,orient and control such information in a meaningful context.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to create a moreintimate relationship between the viewer and the program by enrichingthe learning experience through the provision of more in-depthinformation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the system design, showing the receipt anddecoding of video signals at the subscriber location using the method ofthe present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an alternative system embodiment toachieve the integration of the Internet information with the videocontent by decoding the uniform resource locators at a server site andthen transmitting the URLs to the subscriber stations via the Internet.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the basic software design of thepresent invention.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another preferred system embodiment toachieve the direct transmission of URLs over the Internet to the user ata broadcaster's entered time without encoding the URLs into the VBI.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a diagram of another preferred embodiment including adigital cable box.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a diagram of another preferred embodiment including adigital T.V.

[0025]FIGS. 7 and 8 are a sample display provided to a student of alesson.

[0026]FIG. 9 is a diagram of the distributed Com Server embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The system of the present invention combines the rich visualcapabilities of video with the vast resources of the Internet. As shownin FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer basedsystem for receiving a video program along with embedded uniformresource locators (URLs)—which direct the user's computer 16 to addresslocations, or Web sites, on the Internet 20 to retrieve related Webpages. These Web pages correspond to the video presentation. Theparticular video programming can be delivered in analog, digital ordigitally compressed formats (e.g., MPEG2) via any transmission means,including satellite, cable, wire, television broadcast or sent via theWeb.

[0028] The video programming is preferably created at a centralizedlocation, i.e., content creation 4 as shown in FIG. 1, for distributionto subscribers in their homes, for example. Program creation isaccomplished according to any conventional means known in the art. Aftera video program is created, uniform resource locators are embedded, inone preferred embodiment, into the vertical blank interval of the videoprogramming by the URL encoder 8, shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment,the URLs are encoded onto eight fields of line 21 of the VBI. Line 21 isthe line associated with close captioning, among other things. However,the URLs could also be embedded in other fields of the VBI, in thehorizontal portion of the video, as part of the audio channel, in anysubcarrier to the video, or if digital, in one of the data fields.

[0029] Although FIG. 1 shows the video with URLs over the sametransmission line, the URLs can be sent down independently of the videoprogram on a data channel. In this embodiment, the URLs can be forwardedto the remote sites either prior to initiation or during the program.Preferably, the URLs have associated time stamps which indicate to thesubscriber stations when, during the video program, to display theparticular Web pages addressed by the URLs. Alternatively, the user canselect when to call the particular Web pages for display with the videoprogram.

[0030] The particular information in line 21 is not part of the visualpart of the program, and thus, is not perceptible to the human eye,thereby making it ideal to send data information to the users. While thebandwidth capacity of line 21 is limited, because the system of thepresent invention transmits only the uniform resource locators (URLs),and not full Web pages, there is more than enough capacity. Furthermore,no additional hardware is necessary at the PC 16 to implement theelements of the present invention. Thus, the present invention has theadditional advantages of being very efficient and takes advantage ofconventional hardware.

[0031] Once the video program is created, it can be transmitted to usersites over any transmission means, including broadcast, cable,satellite, or Internet, and may reside on video servers. Furthermore,the video program, with or without embedded URLs, can be encoded on aVHS or Beta tape, DVD or other medium.

[0032] Preferably, each receiver station comprises any Intel x86 machine(preferably a 486 processor, pentium processor, etc.), an AppleComputer, UNIX or any other type of standard computer workstation. Thelocal PC 16 is preferably connected to either a cable and/or broadcasttelevision connection or to a local VCR or other video source. At eachsubscriber site, the local personal computer 16 preferably receives thecable transmission by cable connection on the back of the personalcomputer 16. The video/audio program can then be processed for displayon the computer screen using any conventional PC card capable ofdisplaying NTSC signals on a computer monitor, such as a WinTV card. Inaddition to the cable connection, however, in the present inventionthere is also an Internet 20 connection created concurrently with thecable connection.

[0033] The Internet 20 connection can be via high-speed line, RF,conventional modem or by way of two-way cable carrying the videoprogramming. The local PC 16 has Internet access via any of the currentASCII software mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, at each subscriberhome, an associated local URL decoder 12 receives the cable videotelevision program, as shown in FIG. 1. The local URL decoder 12extracts the URLs, preferably embedded in the vertical blankinginterval, with the use of any conventional VBI decoder device. The URLdecoder 12 may be either a stand-alone unit or a card which isimplemented into the personal computer 16.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the uniformresource locators (URLs) are encoded into the video in the same manneras described above. Again, the URLs are preferably encoded onto eightfields of line 21 of the VBI, but may also be sent independently of thevideo. In this embodiment, the URL decoder 24 is located at the serversite, as opposed to the subscriber location. When the decoder 24receives the video program signal, it strips out the URL codes on line21 of the VBI and delivers these codes independently to an Internetserver 28. The URL code is then subsequently delivered over the Internet20 to the user PC 16. Simultaneously, the video is broadcast overconventional broadcast or cable transmission means 36 to the user'spersonal computer 16.

[0035] Another preferred embodiment of the system, shown in FIG. 4, doesnot depend on, or even use, the VBI. In this preferred embodiment, thesystem will run an online service over the Internet 20. This servicewill be in the form of an Internet Web site 62 that provides auser-interface to a database 78 and to one or more associated dataservers 90. The service will provide member-accounts to TV broadcasters66 who sign up to use the system of the invention in conjunction withtheir broadcasts. Each member broadcaster will enter the service attheir computer 70 through Web browser software 74 using their memberaccount by entering various identification and password information.Once within their account, the member will be provided with a graphicaluser interface for pre-scheduling URLs for transmission to users 118over a direct Internet connection 94 at particular times of day. Thesame user interface, or a variation on it, can be used by broadcastersfor live transmission 82 of URLs to users at the same time as abroadcast 86.

[0036] For example, one example of this interface might be a schedulingcalendar (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) in which the broadcaster 66may allocate time periods which coincide with their broadcasts 86, andduring which they will send out URLs to their users to link to Webpages. For each time period (for example, a particular hour long periodduring the day) determined by the broadcaster 66 to be a broadcastperiod (a period during which they want to transmit URLs that correspondto a television show being broadcast from their TV broadcast facility110 to the external TV 114 of the user 118 at that time), thebroadcaster 66 may then enter a series of URLs into an associated file(“Link File”) for transmission over the Internet 20 at that time. ThisLink File might have a user interface such as a spreadsheet, table, orlist, or it could be simply a tab-delimited or paragraph-delimitedtext-file. As an example, each of the records in the Link File consistsof a data structure which could contain information such as:

(<timecode>,<URL>,<label or title>,<additional information>,<additionalinformation>, . . . )

[0037] The above data structure is just one example. The records in theLink File preferably specify the time, Internet address (i.e. URL),label (such as an associated name), and some optional additionalinformation, for each Web page the broadcaster 66 desires to launchduring a show.

[0038] When a broadcaster 66 modifies their calendar and/or the LinkFile associated with any given time period(s) in their calendar, thisinformation is saved into the database 78 that is attached to the site62. Each broadcaster 66 may maintain multiple calendars in the database78 if they broadcast in different time zones, for example.

[0039] The database 78 provides the Link File records for upcoming timeperiods to a server 90, which may be one server or a distributed networkof server programs on multiple computers across the network, to beutilized for scaling to large national or global audiences. The server90 provides the Link File records, including the URLs, to the user'spersonal computer 16, which is connected via a network. Examples ofpossible networks include the public Internet 94, a direct privatenetwork, or even a wireless network.

[0040] One feature of the above embodiment is that one or morebroadcasters 66 may utilize the same schedule in the database 78 fortheir own broadcasts 86 or during the same broadcast. For example, anetwork broadcaster may develop a master schedule and various affiliatebroadcasters may subscribe to that schedule or copy it (in the database)and add or delete specific URLs in the schedule for their localaudiences or unique programming. This scheme enables affiliates toinsert URLs for local advertisers or local subjects into a sequence ofmore general URLs provided by their network broadcaster 66. In otherwords, the affiliate can add links that ride on the network feed andthen redistribute it to their local audiences.

[0041] The above embodiment can also enable personalization in the formof unique series of URLs specific to each user's unique profile, whichis directly sent over the Internet 20 to each user's specific clientsoftware 106. This can be achieved from the broadcaster 66 to eachindividual user 118, or to particular collections of users. Toaccomplish personalization, the service may send a different stream ofURLs to each user's client software program 106. The stream of URLs sentwould depend on a user profile stored in the database 78 or the clientsoftware program 106, a user profile which is built on demand or overtime for each user 118 based on criteria such as the location of theuser, choices the user makes while using a client software program 106,or choices the broadcaster 66 makes during a broadcast 86, or automaticchoices made by an algorithm (such as a filter) residing on the service62. Personalization enables each user to receive URLs which are uniquelyrelevant to their interests, demographics, history, or behavior in thesystem.

System Operation

[0042] Once the URLs have reached the personal computer 16, systemoperation is similar for all of the embodiments diagramed in FIGS. 1, 2,and 4.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, a JAVA enabled browser 98 as well asspecialized software 106 for performing part of the method of thepresent invention are installed on the computer 16. The JAVA enabledbrowser 98 allows the computer 16 to retrieve the Web pages 102 and ispreferred software, since it is platform independent, and thus, enablesefficient and flexible transfer of programs, images, etc., over theInternet 20. The specialized interface software 106 (hereinafter,“client software”), attached as Appendix A, acts as an interface betweenthe video programming and the Internet functions of the presentinvention. The client software 106 retrieves URLs from the video program(embodiment of FIG. 1) or directly from the Internet connection(embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4), interprets these URLs and directs theJAVA enabled browser 98 to retrieve the particular relevant Web pages102, and synchronizes the retrieved Web pages to the video content fordisplay on the user's computer 16, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 andexplained in more detail below.

[0044] In a preferred method, the URLs are encoded and embedded into thevideo signal by inserting them into the vertical blanking interval(VBI), as mentioned above.

[0045] In another preferred embodiment, the URLs are entered by memberTV broadcasters 66 along with specified times for transmitting the URLsto the user. At the appropriate times, the URLs are sent directly overthe Internet to the user's PC 16 via the client software 106 over adirect point-to-point or multicasting connection.

[0046] One method of the present invention has the capability to detectidentical URLs sent directly after one another which causes the browsernot to fetch URLs in these particular cases. As shown in FIG. 3, oncethe URL code is received at the computer, the client software 106 firstinterprets the URL and determines in step 42 whether the particular URLhas been received previously. If it has already been received, the nextreceived URL is interpreted for determination of prior receipt. If theparticular URL has not been detected before, the software checks formisspelling in step 46 and any other errors, and if errors exist,corrects these particular errors. Once again, it is determined whetherthe URL has been previously detected. If it has, the next URL isaccessed in step 38. If the URL has not been detected, the specific URLis added to the URL list in step 54. The specific URL is then sent tothe Web browser, preferably a JAVA enabled browser 98. Upon receipt ofthe URL, the browser 98, in step 58, will access the Web site address122 (FIG. 4) indicated by the URL and retrieve the cited Web page(s) 102via the Internet.

[0047] Viewers can view the integrated presentation in the followingmanner. As mentioned above, the video signal is processed and displayedon a video window on the PC screen using a WinTV card, for example. Thecorresponding audio is forwarded to the audio card and sent to the PCspeakers.

[0048] The actual retrieved Web pages 102, referenced by the URL, areoptionally time stamped to be displayed on the computer screen whenpredetermined related video content is displayed in the video window,thus, enlightening and enhancing the video presentation by providingin-depth information related to the video content thereto. Anothersection on the screen is also preferably used to represent anoperational control panel. This control panel provides a list of theURLs that have been broadcast and correspondingly received by thecomputer 16. This control panel is updated to add a URL code each time anew URL code is received by the PC 16. This list gives the subscriberthe flexibility to go back and retrieve particularly informative orinteresting Web pages that have already been displayed earlier in theprogram, or alternatively, to print them out for future reference.Furthermore, the list could include URLs referring to Web pages notdisplayed with the broadcast program, but that provide furtherinformation on a certain topic of interest to the viewer.

[0049] The present invention can best be understood with reference to anexample. A viewer can begin watching a musical video featuring a newband, for example. As the video is received by the PC 16, URLs areeither being received with the video signal or are being receiveddirectly via the Internet 20 or another data channel, and are beinginterpreted by the client software 106. Upon direction and command, theJAVA enabled browser 98 retrieves particular Web pages 102 from Internet20 Web sites identified in the URLs. These Web pages 102 will then bedisplayed on the video screen at particular times. Thus, for example,while the viewer is watching the music video, biographical informationon the band can also be displayed adjacently to the video window. Webpages 102 could also include an upcoming concert schedule, or even audioclips of the band's music may be downloaded from the Internet 20. Asanother example, a user could be watching a program relating tofinancial news. While the narrator is shown discussing high tech stocks,Web pages corresponding to detailed financial performance information onhigh tech stocks, environment and characteristics can be displayed withthe video on the computer screen. If the personalization features areincluded, Web pages associated with a particular user's stock can befetched and displayed on the computer screen with the video program.When the program narrator switches to a discussion on the weeklyperformance of the Dow Jones, Web pages presenting related financialperformance information can be simultaneously displayed. Thus, it isevident that the present invention profoundly enriches the viewing andlearning experience.

[0050] It is understood that there can exist alternative embodiments foruse with the present invention. For example, the user can view theinteractive program using a television set 114 or other display monitorin conjunction with the display screen of the personal computer 16. Inthis embodiment, the relevant Web pages are shown on the personalcomputer 16 while the video program is displayed on the televisionmonitor 114. In this alternative embodiment, a cable set top boxreceives the television program from the multichannel cable. Thepersonal computer 16 also receives the video program from themulti-channel cable and extracts the URLs, embedded in the verticalblanking interval of the video signal or directly transmitted 94 overthe Internet 20. The client software 106 extracts the URLs and retrievesthe particular Web pages as described above. The Web pages are thensynchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user.It is understood that a hyperlink may exist on the Web site that willallow the user to automatically load the client software and call up thespecific television channel referenced in the Web site. For example,someone browsing the Internet 20 may come upon a major televisionnetwork's Web site. They scroll to an interesting story then click on anhyperlink to turn on the software which tunes the TV window to thenetwork to enhance the information residing at the Web site.

[0051] Furthermore, instead of receiving the video program from atransmission means, the video program can be addressed directly from theuser site if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is storedon a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium. In this embodiment, the user PC 16and/or television 114 are connected to a VCR, DVD player or otherappropriate device.

[0052]FIGS. 5 and 6 show two alternative embodiments for use with thepresent invention. For example, the user can view the interactiveprogram using a television set 18 or other display monitor inconjunction with a digital cable box 140, as shown in FIG. 5. In thisembodiment, the digital cable box 140 performs the functions of thepersonal computer 16 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 5, the client software is stored in memory in the digital cablebox 140. In the preferred embodiment, the digital cable box 140 includestwo tuners, thus allowing both the Web Page and the Video program to besimultaneously viewed on the same screen. If Video and Webstream,however, are carried on one channel, then only one timer is necessary.

[0053] The client software retrieves URLs from the received videoprogram, directly from the Internet connection 20 or via a separate datachannel, interprets these URLs and directs the Web enabled browser toretrieve the particular relevant Web pages, and synchronizes the 5retrieved Web pages to the video content for display on the television18, as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the relevant Web pages areshown in one frame of the television 18 while the video program isdisplayed in another frame.

[0054] In this alternative embodiment, the digital cable set top box 140receives the television program from the multichannel cable. The URLscan be encoded into the digital program channel using MPEG 1, MPEG2,MPEG4, MPEG7 or any other compression video scheme. Alternatively, theURLs can be transmitted to the digital cable boxes 140 from an Internetserver 148. The digital cable box 140 decodes the URLs from the digitalvideo signal or directly transmitted over the Internet 20. The clientsoftware decodes the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages asdescribed above. The Web pages are then preferably synchronized with theparticular video frames and presented to the user.

[0055] As with all the embodiments described above, instead of receivingthe video program from a transmission means, the video program can beaddressed directly from a local video source 144 if the video program,with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or othermedium. In this embodiment, the digital cable box 140 is connected to aVCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.

[0056]FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment where a digital TV 152 is theremote reception unit. In this embodiment, the digital TV 152 performsthe functions of the personal computer, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, andthe digital cable box 140 shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, a processor means and memory are incorporated into the digitalTV 152. Further, the client software and Web browser software areimplemented into memory in the digital TV 152. All of the functionsdescribed above with reference to the other embodiments are performed ina similar manner by the digital TV 152 embodiment.

[0057] Although the digital cable box/TV 140, 18 and digital TV 152,shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, are incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 1,in substitution for the PC 16, they also could be substituted for the PC16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0058] The user can view the video and web content on one screen (in twowindows), or with the video on one display screen and the Web content ona separate display monitor. Alternatively, the user can access the videoor web content separately. Thus, the user can branch from video to webcontent and vice versa.

[0059] The present invention is well-suited to the educationenvironment. In this embodiment, students and teachers access one ormore Web servers. The software components include instructor and studentuser software, authoring software and database assessment software. Inone such embodiment, an instructor uses content creation software on apersonal computer to easily integrate into their curriculum currentinformation published on the Web, through an easy to use interface 156such as that shown in FIG. 7. The instructor creates a playlist (i.e.linkfile) 160, the playlist 160 comprising a listing of Web pages, textnotes and questions. The Web sites and questions are set forth in apredetermined order and can be assigned times. Preferably, the URLsidentifying the Web site and time stamps are sent automatically to thedesktop of each student in the virtual community, either during playbackof a pre-recorded program or during a live event.

[0060] At each of the student workstations, the program is directed bythe playlist 160. In other words, the playlist 160 provides thestructure for the program. At predetermined times as dictated by theplaylist 160, the browser will go fetch and display a Web page in aframe on the computer screen. Because program events can be set up inthis manner at predetermined times, the entire program and playlist canbe prerecorded and stored in a Web database for later access bystudents.

[0061] A significant advantage of the present invention for educationalapplications is that the students and the instructor can be locatedanywhere, as long as they are all connected to the Web. Because a serveris essentially controlling the program, the instructor output comes fromthe server and the student workstations get automatically updated by theWeb server.

[0062] This educational embodiment integrates Web content and othermedia with collaborative groupware functionality to create aninteractive environment for students and teachers. In this embodiment,the student can receive a traditional video lesson through a frame inhis or her Web browser, or from a television. Simultaneously, thepresent invention provides separate frames, an example of which is shownin FIG. 8, in the browser displaying: (1)Web pages 176 automaticallydelivered to each student's desktop with information or exercises thatcomplement the video presentation; (2) a chat dialogue frame 168 forconversing with the instructor and/or other students online; and (3), aninteractive playlist 164 of Web pages and questions comprising thelesson.

[0063] In the student interface of FIG. 8, each student can perform avirtual experiment during a physics lesson to learn about gravity, forexample. Further, the students are conversing with one another and theinstructor in the chat dialogue frame 168. They may also send Web pagesto one another and provide answers to questions from the teacher via thechat dialogue frame 168 of the student interface 176. With the chatfeature, students may break into subgroups for collaborative learning.Whenever a student in the group sends a message, the message is sent tothe Internet server 20 and every other student in the subgroup receivesand views the message in their Chat dialogue frame 168.

[0064] The instructor, however, may retain control over the chatfeature. For example, the instructor can terminate the chat feature orweb pushing to terminate unruly on-line conversations or the sending ofWeb pages by students.

[0065] Unlike conventional distance learning systems, the presentinvention is more powerful by allowing the instructor to freely andconveniently exercise almost any time of testing strategy. Theinstructor can test students using a combination of the Chat dialoguefeature and Web pages. For example, multiple choice questions and shortanswer questions can appear in the Chat window 168. Essay questions,requiring longer answers, become Web pages. As mentioned above, studentscan perform virtual experiments on-line. Once the instructor's personalcomputer receives student answers, student scoring can be presented tothe instructor in any format including tables, charts, diagrams, bargraphs, etc. The instructor, thus, can analyze the results and has thecapability of providing real-time feedback to the students.

[0066] Students can also receive individualized feedback via branchedinteractive audio, video and/or graphics responses. For example, theworkstation may branch to a particular audio response, preferablyprerecorded in the instructor's own voice, based on the student responseto a multiple choice question. In this embodiment, a plurality ofpotential audio responses are made available at the student'sworkstation according to any one of the methodologies set forth in U.S.Pat. No. 5,537,141, entitled DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM, hereinincorporated by reference. Alternatively, personalized video, audio andgraphics segments can be delivered and displayed to the student based ona student answer or personal profile in the manner set forth in U.S.Pat. No. 5,724,091, entitled COMPRESSED DIGITAL DATA INTERACTIVE PROGRAMSYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference.

[0067] Responses to student answers can be more substantive based on thememory feature of the present invention. The memory feature is analgorithm that selects an interactive response to the user based notonly on the student's current answer selection, but also his or herprevious responses, as discussed in the aforementioned applications. Thealgorithm, preferably stored in memory at each student's workstation andunder processor control, merely selects an output interactive responsebased on student responses. As another example, if a student gets threeanswers in sequence right, he or she receives a more difficult question.If, however, the student misses one or more of the three questions, heor she receives an easier question.

[0068] In another embodiment of the present invention, a system isdescribed capable of handling the education requirements of severalschools in an efficiently designed network. The system shown in FIG. 9solves the problems inherent in attempting to service large numbers ofusers, the most obvious obstacles being the issues of load andperformance. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 9, communications servers180 distribute and route messages across a LAN, WAN and the Internet.Referring to FIG. 9, in the center of the diagram is the Group Databaseserver. Surrounding the database server are several Com Servers 180,each serving an area 192. Surrounding each Com Server 180 are squaresrepresenting user stations 188. The Communication Servers 180 areorganized in node relationships with one another.

[0069] Each node is responsible for serving an Area 192. An Area 192 isdefined as a Virtual location serviced by a single Communications Server180 (or “Com Server”). An Area 192 may be a single school, an office, ormay consist of several actual physical locations. The definingcharacteristic of an Area 192 is that messages sent from one member ofan Area 192 to another need not be routed outside of the servicing ComServer 180.

[0070] An Area member is analogous to the frequently used term “user.”For example, a “user” may be a student in the educational embodimentdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0071] The Distributed Communication System of FIG. 9 shall permit thedynamic addition of Communication Servers 180 within a group with littleor no administrative tasks as well as the addition of groups within anoverall communications network. A Communication Server group consists ofseveral defined Virtual Areas 192 (preferably, consisting of no morethan 250 members each), each area 192 serviced by a single Com Server180. This system shall allow members of one Area 192, or group to easilycommunicate with members of another Area 192 or group without anyconfiguration changes.

[0072] Generally, service of very large numbers of users has requiredlarge expensive servers and networks. As the user base increases,performance suffers and hardware must be upgraded to service the demand.

[0073] The Distributed Communication System of the present inventionallows the same, relatively inexpensive machines to serve anever-increasing user base. The technique by which this will beaccomplished will be through the routing of messages from one server toanother when necessary.

[0074] The method essentially follows the same core pattern as IProuting and DNS lookups. If a message is for a member not belonging tothe current Area 192 or group, the message shall be routed through theDistributed Communication System until its destination, or someone whoknows the destination and can deliver the message, is found.

[0075] The destination will be cached so subsequent messages for thatmember or group may be more efficiently delivered.

[0076] Referring again to FIG. 9, if a message is posted by member “A”and is intended only for the members of group 1 the message shall neverleave Area 1 Com Server. However, if the message is intended for membersof Area 1 and the members of Area 2, the Area 1 Com server forwards themessage to the group database server 184. The message shall be broadcastto the members of Area 1 and tagged in the database 184 as belonging toArea 2. The message is then routed to Area 2 and broadcast to Area 2members. With this technique any member can potentially send a messageto any other member. If the Area Corn server 180 does not recognize thedestination, the message is forwarded up the line. Each Corn server 180does not need to know about any other server 180. Messages are routeduntil they are delivered. If undeliverable, the original sender isnotified.

[0077] New Areas 192 can be added on the fly. When a new Corn server 188is added to the network, it registers itself with the databaseapplication. Henceforth, any message destined for the new Area 192 canbe routed properly without altering the other Area Servers 180.

[0078] This method and system works for global messages or for user touser messages. Furthermore, new Groups may also be dynamically added.Once added, each new Group Database Server 184 registers itself with theexisting database servers 184. This distribution of load permits nearlyunlimited expansion with existing software and hardware. Each servermanages a finite number of members, cumulatively serving a growingcommunity.

[0079] Users need not be informed as to the particular Corn Server 180they should connect to. Members are directed to a single URL. Theselection of the server for user connection is determined by loadbalancing software. In this manner, the network may appear to be aglobal network of Servers or simply a local classroom.

[0080] The unique aspects of this architecture, using database serversas routing gateways, using techniques resembling IP routing and DNSlookup, enables this system to serve with minimum administration andconfiguration and with lower end, cost-effective hardware.

[0081] Using the foregoing embodiments, methods and processes, thesystem of the present invention creates a synergistic experiencecombining the vast resources of the Internet with the presentationcapabilities of television.

We claim:
 1. A system for receiving a programming signal containing anembedded address, the address identifying a source of at least oneonline information segment related to the programming signal, the systemcomprising: a receiver for receiving a programming signal and theembedded address, the address identifying the source of the onlineinformation segment which relates to the programming signal; an addressextractor which extracts the address from the programming signal; a webbrowser; and a processor which automatically directs the web browser toestablish a communications link with the online information sourceidentified by the address, whereby the processor retrieves the onlineinformation segment from the online information source via thecommunications link.
 2. A system as described in claim 1, wherein thesystem is provided in at least one device selected from the groupconsisting of: a cable box, a satellite receiver, a television, a handheld computer, a personal computer, and a VCR.
 3. A system as describedin claim 1, wherein the system is provided in a wired device.
 4. Asystem as described in claim 1, wherein the system is provided in awireless device.
 5. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the systemfurther comprises: a first presentation device for presenting theprogramming signal; and a second presentation device for presenting theonline information segment.
 6. A system as described in claim 1, whereinthe system further comprises: a display monitor for presenting theprogramming signal, comprising a video signal or an audio signal,concurrently with the online information segment.
 7. A system asdescribed in claim 6, wherein the programming signal comprises the videosignal and the video signal and the online information segment arepresented on the display monitor in a picture-in-picture format.
 8. Asystem as described in claim 6, wherein the programming signal comprisesthe video signal and the video signal is presented on one half and theonline information segment is presented on the opposite half of a splitscreen display format.
 9. A system as described in claim 6, wherein theprogramming signal comprises the video signal and the video signal ispresented in a first window and the online information segment ispresented in a second window in a multiple window display format.
 10. Asystem as described in claim 6, wherein the programming signal comprisesthe video signal and the video signal and the online information segmentare presented on the display monitor.
 11. A system as described in claim6, wherein the programming signal comprises the audio signal and theaudio signal and the online information segment are presented on anaudio reproduction device.
 12. A system as described in claim 1, whereinthe source of the online information segment is the Internet.
 13. Asystem as described in claim 1, wherein the source of the onlineinformation segment is selected from the group consisting of: theInternet, an intranet, a private network, and a public network.
 14. Asystem as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal furthercomprises at least one audio or video signal selected from the groupconsisting of: animation, text, graphics, multimedia, slow frame video,data, music, dialogue, video stills, and a sequence of individualframes.
 15. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programmingsignal is received from a source selected from the group consisting of:a cable head-end, an Internet content server, a broadcaster, a wirelessservice source, a telephone circuit, and a satellite broadcastoperations center.
 16. A system as described in claim 1, wherein theprogramming signal is a presentation of a live event.
 17. A system asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the programming signal is a presentationof a pre-recorded program.
 18. A system as described in claim 1, whereinthe programming signal includes an advertisement.
 19. A system asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URLidentifying the online information source.
 20. A system as described inclaim 1, wherein the received online information segment includes atleast one presentation form selected from the group consisting of: text,graphics, animation, individual video frames, data, video stills, slowframe video, video, audio and multimedia.
 21. A system as described inclaim 1, further comprising an electronic mail interface, the electronicmail interface allowing a user to send and receive electronic messages.22. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signalincludes a news program and the online information segment containsadditional information related to the news program.
 23. A system asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes anadvertisement and the online information segment contains additionalinformation related to the advertisement.
 24. A system as described inclaim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a sports program andthe online information segment contains additional information relatedto the sports program.
 25. A system as described in claim 1, wherein theprogramming signal includes an entertainment program and the onlineinformation segment contains additional information related to theentertainment program.
 26. A system as described in claim 1, furthercomprising a data management storage device wherein information about auser is stored in the data management storage device.
 27. A system asdescribed in claim 26, wherein the user information includes user clicksmade by the user on a user interface while using an online servicesource.
 28. A system as described in claim 26, wherein information on aplurality of users is stored in the data management storage device. 29.A system as described in claim 26, wherein the programming signal isselected, at least in part, based on the user information.
 30. A systemas described in claim 26, wherein the online information segment isselected, at least in part, based on the user information.
 31. A systemas described in claim 26, wherein the address is selected, at least inpart, based on the user information.
 32. A system as described in claim1, wherein the programming signal contains at least one program selectedfrom the group consisting of: a sports program, an advertisement, amotion picture program, a game show program, a video program, a liveprogram, an audio program, a music video program, a pre-recordedprogram, a sitcom program, a non-commercial program, and a news program.33. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online informationsegment relates to a polling question.
 34. A system as described inclaim 1, further comprising a chat interface which facilitatesinteractive communications between a user and the online informationsource or a second user.
 35. A system as described in claim 26, whereinthe programming signal received comprises a sporting event; the userinformation identifies the user as a potential fan of the sportingevent; and the address identifies the online information source as onewherein the online information segment relates to the sporting event.36. A system as described in claim 26, wherein the programming signalreceived comprises a sporting event; the user information identifies theuser as a potential player of the sport presented in the sporting event;and the address identifies the online information source as one whereinthe online information segment relates to the sporting event.
 37. Asystem as described in claim 26, wherein the programming signal receivedcomprises a sporting event; the user information identifies the user asa potential fan of a specific team or player presented in the sportingevent; and the address identifies the online information source as onewherein the online information segment relates to the sporting event.38. A system as described in claim 26, wherein the user informationcontains information selected from the group consisting of: thegeographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a userinterface while using an on line service source, user viewing habits,and demographics of the user.
 39. A system as described in claim 26,wherein the data management storage device is located at a locationselected from the group consisting of: a user station, a personalcomputer, a cable box, a cable head-end, a satellite receiver, anintranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internetsite.
 40. A system as described in claim 26, wherein the programmingsignal contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection ofthe predetermined advertisement is based at least in part on the userinformation.
 41. A system as described in claim 26, wherein at least oneonline information segment contains an advertisement and wherein theadvertisement is selected at least in part based on the userinformation.
 42. A system as described in claim 26, wherein theprogramming signal contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphicssegment is selected at least in part based on the user information. 43.A system for presenting online information obtained from an onlineinformation source identified by an address, the online informationrelated to a programming signal, the system comprising: a receiver whichreceives the programming signal and the address; a browser whichautomatically establishes a communications link with the onlineinformation source using the address which is provided to the browser bythe receiver, the communications link facilitating a push transfer ofthe online information from the online information source; and apresentation device which presents to a user the online informationobtained from the online information source via the communications link.44. A system as described in claim 43, wherein the address is receivedvia a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of: theInternet, an intranet, terrestrial broadcast, satellite broadcast,cable, fiber optics, a wireless connection, a telephone network, apublic network, and a private network.
 45. A system as described inclaim 43, wherein the system further comprises a storage device forstoring at least one of the group consisting of: the programming signal,the address, and the online content.
 46. A system as described in claim45, wherein the storage device further comprises at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of: a digital versatile disk, a storage deviceprovided with a computer workstation or set top box, a magnetic storagedevice, RAM, ROM, an optical storage device, a DVD, and a CD ROM.
 47. Asystem as described in claim 43, wherein the presentation device furtherpresents the programming signal to the user.
 48. A system as describedin claim 43, wherein the programming signal further comprises apresentation of a live event.
 49. A system as described in claim 43,wherein the programming signal further comprises a presentation of apre-recorded program.
 50. A system as described in claim 43, wherein theprogramming signal includes an advertisement.
 51. A system as describedin claim 43, wherein the programming signal includes an audio program.52. A system as described in claim 43, wherein the address is receivedindependent of the programming signal.
 53. A system as described inclaim 43, wherein the address is received via the Internet.
 54. A systemas described in claim 43, wherein the programming signal furthercomprises a video signal and the address is embedded in the videosignal.
 55. A system as described in claim 54, wherein the address isembedded in the video signal sodas not to interfere with thepresentation of the video signal.
 56. A system as described in claim 55,wherein the address is embedded in a vertical blanking interval providedin the video signal.
 57. A system as described in claim 55, wherein theaddress is embedded in a horizontal blanking interval provided in thevideo signal.
 58. A system as described in claim 55, wherein the addressis embedded in a subcarrier of the video signal.
 59. A system asdescribed in claim 55, wherein the address is embedded in a sideband ofthe video signal.
 60. A system as described in claim 43, wherein theprogramming signal further comprises an audio signal and the address isembedded in the audio signal.
 61. A system as described in claim 43,wherein the received online content includes content with form selectedfrom the group consisting of: text, graphics, animation, individualvideo frames, slow frame video, video, data, video stills, audio andmultimedia.
 62. A system as described in claim 43, wherein the systemfurther comprises a chat dialogue frame interface, the chat dialogueframe interface allowing the user to send and receive messages fromothers.
 63. A system as described in claim 62, wherein at least one ofthe users is the online information source.
 64. A system as described inclaim 43, further comprising an electronic mail interface, theelectronic mail interface allowing the user to send and receive messagesfrom others.
 65. A system as described in claim 64, wherein at least oneof the users is the online information source.
 66. A system as describedin claim 43, wherein the programming signal includes a news program andthe online content contains additional information related to the newsprogram.
 67. A system as described in claim 43, wherein the programmingsignal includes an advertisement and the online content containsadditional information related to the advertisement.
 68. A system asdescribed in claim 43, wherein the programming signal includes a sportsprogram and the online content contains additional information relatedto the sports program.
 69. A system as described in claim 43, whereinthe programming signal includes an entertainment program and the onlinecontent contains additional information related to the entertainmentprogram.
 70. A system as described in claim 43, wherein the programmingsignal includes a music video and the online content contains additionalinformation related to the music video.
 71. A system as described inclaim 43, wherein the system is provided on a device selected from thegroup consisting of: a wireless device, a cable box, a satellitereceiver, a television, a VCR, a hand held computer, and a personalcomputer.
 72. A system as described in claim 43, wherein the systemcomprises a wired device.
 73. A system as described in claim 43, whereinthe system comprises a wireless device.
 74. A system as described inclaim 43, further comprising a data management storage device, whereininformation about the user is stored in the data management storagedevice.
 75. A system as described in claim 74, wherein the userinformation contains information on clicks made by the user on a userinterface while using an online service source.
 76. A system asdescribed in claim 74, wherein information on clicks made by a pluralityof users on respective user interfaces is stored in the data managementstorage device.
 77. A system as described in claim 74, wherein theprogramming signal is selected, at least in part, based on the userinformation.
 78. A system as described in claim 74, wherein the onlineinformation source is selected, at least in part, based on the userinformation.
 79. A system as described in claim 74, wherein the addressis selected, at least in part, based on the user information.
 80. Asystem as described in claim 74, wherein the data management storagedevice is local to the receiver.
 81. A system as described in claim 43,wherein the online information relates to at least one selected from thegroup consisting of: a sports program, an advertisement, a motionpicture program, a game show program, a video program, a live program,an audio program, a music video program, a prerecorded program, a sitcomprogram, a non-commercial program, and a news program.
 82. A system asdescribed in claim 43, wherein the online information relates to apolling question.
 83. A system as described in claim 74, wherein theprogramming signal received comprises a sporting event; the userinformation identifies the user as a potential fan of the sportingevent; and the address identifies the online information source as onewherein the online information segment relates to the sporting event.84. A system as described in claim 74, wherein the programming signalreceived comprises a sporting event; the user information identifies theuser as a potential player of the sport presented in the sporting event;and the address identifies the online information source as one whereinthe online information segment relates to the sporting event.
 85. Asystem as described in claim 74, wherein the programming signal receivedcomprises a sporting event; the user information identifies the user asa potential fan of a specific team or player presented in the sportingevent; and the address identifies the online information source as onewherein the online information segment relates to the sporting event.86. A system as described in claim 74, wherein the user informationcontains information selected from the group consisting of: thegeographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a userinterface while using an on line service source, user viewing habits,and demographics of the user.
 87. A system as described in claim 74,wherein the data management storage device is located at one of thelocations selected from the group consisting of: a user station, a cablebox, a satellite receiver, a cable head-end, an intranet site, a publicnetwork, a private network, and an Internet site.
 88. A system asdescribed in claim 74, wherein the programming signal contains apredetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predeterminedadvertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.
 89. Asystem as described in claim 74, wherein the online information containsan advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least inpart, based on the user information.
 90. A system as described in claim74, wherein the programming signal contains a graphics segment andwherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on theuser information.
 91. A computer readable medium containing instructionsfor receiving and displaying online information signals containingonline information related to a programming signal by: receiving anaddress identifying a source of online information containing the onlineinformation related to the programming signal; automatically sendingmessage requests to the online information source specified by theaddress; and automatically retrieving the online information from theonline information source in response to the message requests.
 92. Acomputer readable medium as described in claim 91, wherein theprogramming signal comprises an audio signal, the address is embeddedwithin the audio signal, and the instructions further compriseextracting the address from the audio signal.
 93. A computer readablemedium as described in claim 92, wherein the address is embedded withinthe audio signal so as to not interfere with the presentation of theaudio signal.
 94. A computer readable medium as described in claim 91,wherein the programming signal comprises a video signal, the address isembedded within the video signal, and the instructions further compriseextracting the address from the video signal.
 95. A computer readablemedium as described in claim 94, wherein the address is embedded withinthe video signal so as to not interfere with the presentation of thevideo signal.
 96. A computer readable medium as described in claim 94,wherein the address is embedded within the video signal in at least oneelement of the video signal selected from the group consisting of: avertical blanking interval, a horizontal blanking interval, a side-band,and a sub-carrier.
 97. A computer readable medium as described in claim91, wherein the instructions further comprise receiving the programmingsignal concurrently with the address.
 98. A computer readable medium asdescribed in claim 91, wherein the instructions further comprisereceiving the programming signal after receiving the address.
 99. Acomputer readable medium as described in claim 91, wherein theinstructions further comprise receiving the programming signal beforereceiving the address.
 100. A computer readable medium as described inclaim 91, wherein the programming signal comprises at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of: animation, text, graphics, multimedia,slow frame video, music, data, video stills, dialogue, and a sequence ofindividual frames.
 101. A computer readable medium as described in claim91, wherein the address is received from a source selected from thegroup consisting of: a cable head-end, an Internet content server, aterrestrial broadcaster, a wireless service source, a telephone circuit,and a satellite broadcast operations center.
 102. A computer readablemedium as described in claim 91, wherein the online information isrelated to a live event.
 103. A computer readable medium as described inclaim 91, wherein the online information is related to a prerecordedprogram.
 104. A computer readable medium as described in claim 91,wherein the online information is related to an advertisement.
 105. Acomputer readable medium as described in claim 91, wherein the onlineinformation is related to an audio program.
 106. A computer readablemedium as described in claim 91, wherein the online information isrelated to a news program.
 107. A computer readable medium as describedin claim 91, wherein the online information is related to a music video.108. A computer readable medium as described in claim 91, wherein thecomputer readable medium is utilized in at least one device selectedfrom the group consisting of: a cable box, a satellite receiver, atelevision, a hand held computer, a personal computer, a wirelessdevice, and a VCR.
 109. A computer readable medium as described in claim91, wherein the instructions further comprise storing information abouta user in a data management storage device.
 110. A computer readablemedium as described in claim 109, wherein the user information includesuser clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an onlineservice source.
 111. A computer readable medium as described in claim109, wherein the programming signal is selected, at least in part, basedon the user information.
 112. A computer readable medium as described inclaim 109, wherein the online information is selected, at least in part,based on the user information.
 113. A computer readable medium asdescribed in claim 109, wherein the address is selected, at least inpart, based on the user information.
 114. A computer readable medium asdescribed in claim 109, wherein the online information segment relatesto at least one selected from the group consisting of: a sports program,an advertisement, a motion picture program, a game show program, a videoprogram, a live program, an audio program, a music video program, aprerecorded program, a sitcom program, a non-commercial program, and anews program.
 115. A computer readable medium as described in claim 109,wherein the online information relates to a polling question.
 116. Acomputer readable medium as described in claim 91, wherein theinstructions further comprise establishing a chat interface, the chatinterface facilitating interactive communications between the user andat least one of the group consisting of: the online information sourceand a second user.
 117. A computer readable medium as described in claim91, wherein the instructions further comprise initializing an electronicmail interface, the electronic mail interface facilitating the sendingand receiving of electronic messages to others.
 118. A computer readablemedium as described in claim 109, wherein the user information containsinformation selected from the group consisting of: the geographiclocation of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface whileusing an on line service source, user viewing habits, and demographicsof the user.
 119. A computer readable medium as described in claim 109,wherein the data management storage device is located at one of thelocations selected from the group consisting of: a user station, a cablebox, a cable head-end, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a publicnetwork, a private network, and an Internet site.
 120. A computerreadable medium as described in claim 109, wherein the programmingsignal contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection ofthe predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the userinformation.
 121. A computer readable medium as described in claim 109,wherein the address is selected, at least in part, based on the userinformation.
 122. A computer readable medium as described in claim 109,wherein the online information contains an advertisement and wherein theadvertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the userinformation.
 123. A computer readable medium as described in claim 109,wherein the programming signal contains a graphics segment and whereinthe graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the userinformation.
 124. A receiver system for receiving video programming andnetwork-delivered on-line information segments having content related tothe video programming, comprising: a first receiver for receiving asignal carrying the video programming; and a processor coupled to anetwork for receiving at least one address in respective specifiedtiming relationship with the video programming, and using the at leastone address for retrieving from at least one server on the network theon-line information segments, wherein the video programming and theon-line information segments are presented for viewing in respectivepredetermined timing relationship.
 125. A system as described in claim124, wherein each one of the at least one address received by theprocessor includes an associated time indicia for controlling when eachone of the at least one address is to be used for retrieving respectiveones of the on-line information segments, so that the on-lineinformation segments are presented for viewing in respectivepredetermined timing relationship with the video programming.
 126. Asystem as described in claim 124, wherein the signal is encoded to carrythe at least one address in respective specified timing relationshipwith the video programming, and further comprising a decoder forextracting the at least one address from the encoded signal, and forproviding the at least one address extracted from the encoded signal tothe processor.
 127. A system as described in claim 124, wherein thenetwork comprises the Internet; the at least one address comprises atleast one uniform resource locator; the at least one network servercomprises at least one Internet web site; and the processor receives theat least one uniform resource locator and includes a web browserresponsive to the at least one uniform resource locator for retrievingover the Internet from the at least one Internet web site at least oneweb page comprising the on-line information segments, the at least oneweb page and the video programming being presented for viewing inrespective predetermined timing relationship.
 128. A system as describedin claim 124, wherein the first receiver causes the video programmingcarried by the signal to be presented on an audio visual monitor, andthe processor causes the on-line information segments to be presented ona display.
 129. A system as described in claim 124, wherein the videoprogramming comprises education subject matter.
 130. A system asdescribed in claim 124, wherein the video programming comprisesentertainment matter.
 131. A system as described in claim 124, whereinthe video programming comprises advertising subject matter.
 132. Asystem as described in claim 124, wherein the on-line informationsegments include advertising subject matter.
 133. The system of claim124, wherein the online information segments include a request forviewer response and wherein the network has a two-way capabilityenabling the viewer to enter information in response to the requestincluded in the on-line information segments.
 134. A system as describedin claim 127, wherein the at least one web page includes a request forviewer response and wherein the viewer is enabled to send informationover the Internet in response to the request.
 135. A system as describedin claim 133, wherein the video programming comprises advertisingsubject matter, and the on-line information segments includes a requestwhich enables the viewer to enter response information related to theadvertising subject matter of the video programming.
 136. A system asdescribed in claim 134, wherein the video programming comprisesadvertising subject matter, and the at least one web page including arequest for viewer response enables the viewer to enter responseinformation related to the advertising subject matter of the videoprogramming.
 137. A system as described in claim 133, wherein theon-line information segments including a request for viewer responsecomprises advertising subject matter and enables the viewer to enterresponse information concerning the advertising subject matter of theon-line information segments.
 138. A system as described in claim 134,wherein the at least one web page including a request for viewerresponse comprises advertising subject matter and enables the viewer toenter response information concerning the advertising subject matter ofthe at least one web page.
 139. A system as described in claim 133,wherein the on-line information segments including a request for viewerresponse comprises an offer to sell a product or a service, and enablesthe viewer to enter response information for making a purchase of theproduct or the service.
 140. A system as described in claim 134, whereinthe at least one web page including a request for viewer responsecomprises an offer to sell a product or a service, and enables theviewer to enter response information for making a purchase of theproduct or the service.
 141. A system as described in claim 124, whereinthe first receiver and the processor are included in a single receivingdevice.
 142. A system as described in claim 141, wherein the singlereceiving device is a personal computer.
 143. A system as described inclaim 141, wherein the single receiving device is a cable televisionset-top box.
 144. A system as described in claim 141, wherein the singlereceiving device is a satellite broadcast receiver.
 145. A system asdescribed in claim 141, wherein the network is the Internet; the atleast one network address comprises at least one uniform resourcelocator; the at least one server comprises at least one Internet website; and the on-line information segments comprise at least one webpage retrievable over the Internet from the at least one Internet website using the at least one uniform resource locator, the processorhaving a web browser responsive to the at least one uniform resourcelocator for retrieving over the Internet from the at least one Internetweb site the at least one web page, and being coupled to a display forpresenting the at least one web page in respective predetermined timingrelationship with the presentation of the video programming on thedisplay.
 146. A method for receiving video programming andnetwork-delivered on-line information segments having content related tothe video programming, comprising the steps of: receiving a signalcarrying the video programming; receiving, in respective specifiedtiming relationship with the video programming carried by the signal, atleast one address for retrieving over a network the on-line informationsegments from at least one server on the network; wherein the videoprogramming and the on-line information segments are presented forviewing in respective predetermined timing relationship.
 147. A methodas described in claim 146, wherein each one of the at least one addressis received with an associated timing indicia for controlling when eachone of the at least one address is to be used for retrieving respectiveones of the on-line information segments so that the on-line informationsegments are presented for viewing in respective predetermined timingrelationship with the video programming.
 148. A method as described inclaim 146, wherein the network is the Internet; the at least one addresscomprises at least one uniform resource locator; the at least one servercomprises at least one Internet web site; and the on-line informationsegments comprise at least one web page retrievable over the Internetfrom the at least one Internet web site using the at least one uniformresource locator.
 149. A method as described in claim 146, wherein thevideo programming comprises education subject matter.
 150. A method asdescribed in claim 146, wherein the video programming comprisesentertainment subject matter.
 151. A method as described in claim 146,wherein the video programming comprises advertising subject matter. 152.A method as described in claim 146, wherein the on-line informationsegments include a request for viewer response, and wherein the networkhas a two-way capability enabling the viewer to enter information inresponse to an on-line information segment.
 153. A method as describedin claim 152, wherein the network is the Internet; the at least onenetwork address comprises at least one uniform resource locator; the atleast one server comprises at least one Internet web site; and theon-line information segments comprise at least one web page retrievableover the Internet from the at least one Internet web site using the atleast one uniform resource locator, the at least one web page includinga request for viewer response, and wherein the viewer is enabled toenter response information in response to the request, the responseinformation being sent over the Internet to a respective one of the atleast one Internet web site providing the at least one web pageincluding the request.
 154. A method as described in claim 152, whereinthe video programming comprises advertising subject matter and therequest for viewer response is related to the advertising subject matterof the video programming.
 155. A method as described in claim 153,wherein the video programming comprises advertising subject matter andthe request for viewer response is related to the advertising subjectmatter of the video programming.
 156. A method as described in claim152, wherein the on-line information segments contains advertisingsubject matter and enables the viewer to enter response informationrelating to the advertising subject matter of the at least oneinformation segment.
 157. A method as described in claim 153, whereinthe at least one web page contains advertising subject matter andenables the viewer to enter response information relating to theadvertising subject matter of the at least one web page.
 158. A methodas described in claim 152, wherein the on-line information segmentscomprise an offer to sell a product or a service and enables the viewerto enter response information for making a purchase of the product orthe service.
 159. A method as described in claim 153, wherein the atleast one web page comprises an offer to sell a product or a service andenables a viewer to enter response information for making a purchase ofthe product or the service.